[Guest]

Getting ready to install the c

Getting ready to install the caps, plug wires, and hardware back on my TR's motor, I noticed that one of the caps looked pretty good inside while the other looked like it had algea growing in it! Apparently moisture had/has been in there. Anyways it is cleanable...but here is the problem. The little contact in the center (carbon brush?) is nearly gone, maybe an eight of an inch and it was jammed up into it's bore. After messing with it for quite a while I got it out, only to see that the spring is missing. Is this "servicable" by getting the little parts or do I need to buy a new cap? Also if no caps are needed, should I clean up the contacts inside them using maybe find sand paper or a file? I would love to just buy new caps/rotors/wires but my budget does not allow for this right now. I'm one of those people who can buy a Ferrari but cannot afford a Ferrari. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Jeff: I am going through the

Jeff: I am going through the same decision......mine is easier, since my car has 70K miles one it. I did remove the caps earlier this year and cleaned them up. I used sand paper, since I didn't want to "scratch" the surface with a file.

One cap had the carbon rod loose.....it just fell out as I removed the cap. Both where about 1/2 inch long. One fell out because the spring behind it was broke. I just removed the broken pieces, and used the spring from a ball-point pen....had to cut it to proper length, so that the spring tension was about the same as the "good" cap. It worked well for the whole year.

I did get new wires, and am debating whether to get new caps and rotors......I feel that it would be good to replace.......remember, 70K miles!!!!!

Besides, maybe I can sell the used caps on E-Bay.....they would still be good, for someone who has a "cracked" cap..

 

[Guest]

The button and spring have bee

The button and spring have been mentioned as replaceable many times. I'm sure JRV can tell you were to get them.

 

[Guest]

Just clean the cap contacts if

Just clean the cap contacts if there are no cracks. The carbon tips are NLA from Ferrari, however a 4cylner VW Bug cap from BAP or NAPA has the same size carbon contact and spring.

Just remove from the new cap and carefully twist in a screwing motion (counterclockwise) to install in the old cap.

 

[Guest]

Thank You for the information.

Thank You for the information. We don't have a NAPA store here...I wish we did! I'm hardly ever able to find anything locally and must constantly mail order everything. It makes an hour-long job take days....very frustrating.

I will carefully clean all the contacts in the cap...should I remove the wires too for inspection and cleaning?

 

[Guest]

Jeff,

the wires simply need

Jeff,

the wires simply need to be ohmed out and replaced if you find any open circuits.

Regards, JRV

 

[Guest]

Thanks JRV, dave, and Henryk:

Thanks JRV, dave, and Henryk:

I will do a careful and thorough cleaning tonight. I did find a carbon brush and spring that will work. We first looked at dist. caps for a VW application as has been suggested...but the one they had didn't fit. So the store let me go behind the counter and just start looking through boxes, and I found one for a Mercury Tracer that was VERY close, just a tad shorter but the same diameter. So I'm happy with that. I'll also check the resistance of the wires. At last my motor is getting close to being done.